Today I read on Natalie Chanin's blog that there is a Flickr site for projects from her book, Alabama Stitch Book, so I decided to photograph my Reverse-Applique Bandana to post there (and here). Here is the front of it.

 
And the front along with some of the equally appealing back.

I also made the Book Cover (which I posted about here back in December) and the Reverse-Appplique Swing Skirt minus the reverse applique), but a good photo is TK (editor-speak for "to come").

I am totally hooked on hand-sewing. It reminds me of knitting in that it's creative, tactile, relaxing, and portable, and it's, of course, so satisfying to look at your project when you're done and know that you made it with your own hands.

Sometimes my job as the editorial director of STC Craft feels overwhelming (that's part of why before today I hadn't posted in a long time). And sometimes my job feels very gratifying, for example, when I see projects people are inspired to make from our books, like those on the Alabama Stitch Book Flickr site.

I vividly recall the day nearly three years ago that Natalie Chanin, author of Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting, and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style and founder and head designer of Alabama Chanin, came to my office to discuss her book proposal. I think we became friends in the first five minutes. Click here to read a recent Q&A with her about her commitment to sustainable design, her motivation for writing her book, and her decision to return to her hometown of Florence, Alabama, after living around the world. Click here to see a selection of projects from her book.

Flower Coasters from Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey and Chika Mori (upcoming, Fall 08).

There is a very interesting article in today's New York Times called "The Slow Life Picks Up Speed." It's about  Slow Design, a growing movement  that emphasizes creating and consuming products in a slow, environmentally careful, and fair way.  Natalie Chanin, author of the Alabama Stitch Book, is one of several inspiring artisans/business owners/authors featured. (Photo above from Natalie's book)